- R. Sampanthan, leader of the Tamil National Alliance, dies at 91.
- Became the second Tamil opposition leader in Sri Lanka’s history.
- Advocate for Tamil political autonomy and constitutional reform.
R. Sampanthan, a veteran Sri Lankan politician and moderate Tamil leader, passed away at the age of 91. He led the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) from 2004 and was instrumental in pushing for a negotiated political settlement for Tamil autonomy.
Sampanthan, known for his moderate stance, was the second Tamil to hold the position of the main opposition leader in Sri Lanka‘s predominantly Sinhala government. His political journey began in 1977 when he entered Parliament representing the Trincomalee district.
Prominent Tamil Politician R. Sampanthan Dies at 91
In 2015, Sampanthan took office as the opposition leader and actively participated in drafting a new Constitution until 2019. His efforts aimed to address long-standing Tamil demands for political autonomy, a struggle that intensified into armed conflict from the mid-1970s. Despite his prolonged illness, which kept him away from parliamentary sessions, Sampanthan remained a pivotal figure in Sri Lankan politics, advocating for peaceful resolutions and constitutional reforms until his last days.
Sampanthan became the second Tamil to serve as the main opposition leader in Sri Lanka in 2015, a role he held until 2019. During his tenure, he played a crucial role in the efforts to draft a new Constitution aimed at addressing the demands of the Tamil community. His leadership in the TNA was marked by a commitment to peaceful negotiation and political solutions, contrasting with the violent conflicts of the past.
The Tamil demand for political autonomy has been a persistent issue since Sri Lanka’s independence from Britain in 1948, escalating into armed conflict by the mid-1970s. Sampanthan’s moderate approach sought to achieve these goals through constitutional reforms and political dialogue. His absence from the current parliamentary sessions due to his prolonged illness was deeply felt by his supporters and the political community alike.
Sampanthan’s passing marks the end of an era for Tamil political leadership in Sri Lanka. His contributions to the Tamil cause and his efforts towards achieving a peaceful resolution to the long-standing ethnic conflict have left a lasting legacy. The Tamil National Alliance and his supporters mourn the loss of a leader who dedicated his life to the pursuit of justice and equality for the Tamil people.
R. Sampanthan’s legacy as a champion of Tamil rights and political reform in Sri Lanka will be remembered for his dedication to peaceful negotiation and constitutional solutions. His passing marks a significant loss for the Tamil community and Sri Lankan politics as a whole.
“Sampanthan was a moderate Tamil who had been leading the political movement to achieve a negotiated political settlement to the Tamil demand for political autonomy.”
